Evaluation of Best Performing Microbial Culture in Relation to Growth, Yield and Quality of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.)

The present investigation the effect of different microbial culture on growth, yield and quality of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) was undertaken at Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj (UP) during 2022. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 10 tratment viz., T0 (Control), T1 (PSB - Photosynthetic Bacteria Rhodosudomonas palustris) - 20 ml/sq.m), T2 (PSB - Photosynthetic Bacteria Rhodosudomonas palustris) - 30 ml/sq.m), T3 (PSB - Photosynthetic Bacteria Rhodosudomonas palustris) - 40 ml/sq.m), T4 (Vermiwash-20 ml/sq.m), T5 (Vermiwash-30 ml/sq.m), T6 (Vermiwash-40 ml/sq.m), T7 (Azotobacter-8 ml/sq.m), T8 (Azotobacter - 10 ml/sq.m) and T9 (Azotobacter- 15ml/sq.m) with three replications. Results revealed that treatment T9 (Azotobacter- 15ml/sq.m) recorded significantly highest vine length, highest number of primary branches per plant is treatment T4 (Vermiwash-20 ml/sq.m) and number of node per plant is treatment T4 (Vermiwash-20 ml/sq.m). Earliness parameter such as days of first flowering is minimum days is T9 (Azotobacter- 15ml/sq.m) and node number at first male flower appears was recorded in treatment T9 (Azotobacter- 15ml/sq.m). Node number at first female flower appears was recorded in treatment T9 (Azotobacter- 15ml/sq.m). Days to first fruit setting after anthesis recorded in treatment Azotobacter-10ml/sq.m (T8). Yield parameter like number of fruit per plant were recorded under T6 (Vermiwash-40 ml/sq. m). Average weight for 10 fruits (g) was recorded highest in treatment T9 (Azotobacter-15 ml/sq.m).Fruit length was recorded highest in treatment (Vermiwash – 40 ml/sq.m T6). Fruit girth was recorded highest in treatment T9 (Azotobacter-15 ml/sq.m). Fruit yield per plot (kg) was recorded highest in treatment T6 (Vermiwash – 40 ml/sq.m) and fruit yield /ha (q) was highest in was found in Vermiwash – 40 ml/sq.m (T6).